I AM told that leech bites can itch for months and there would be scars, too. So I came prepared for a trip to the Belum rainforest.
My weapons against the little blood-suckers included rubbing a thick coat of Mosi-Guard all over my body. The natural insect repellent made of herbs is proven effective against leeches by the Forest Research Institute of Malaysia (FRIM). It gives 10 hours of protection and is gentle on the skin.
I discovered it by chance in a pharmacy when I was looking for leech-proof socks. The socks I failed to find in Kuala Lumpur, even in shops selling camping gear.
As an alternative, I wore pants made of synthetic materials and tucked the legs in my socks. Then I wore the 'cheapest' trekking shoes - 'Adidas kampung', the equivalent actually. When a friend bought me the Cap Gajah rubber shoes, I thought, how apt, since I was going into elephant land!
The shoes cost only RM6. Rubber tappers and seasoned trekkers swear by them. Not only do they 'delay' leeches from sticking on skin but they give good grip on dirt tracks and slopes. They dry easily too.
I also wore a camisole which I tucked in my pants. Well, leeches can land on the stomach area, too. A long-sleeved T-shirt provided double protection. Finally, I sprayed Mosi-Guard on my clothes!
I still had one last weapon - my teenaged son! He walked behind me with a bottle of salt water and sprayed at 'persistent' leeches that managed to crawl up my shoes or landed on my headscarf. The salt water loosened their grip and they fell off with a flick.
So, did all these protective measures work? Almost 100 per cent but not quite as after wading in a stream, I emerged with two leech bites on my right ankle. It seemed the water had washed off the layer of Mosi-Guard!
Antiseptic lotion and plasters that I had brought along came in handy. The plasters stopped the blood from trickling and the lotion protected the wound from turning septic.
Compared with the others in the group who bled, scratched and cursed, I came out of the forest in pretty good shape, thanks to my preparatory efforts.
